Project U.L.F. by Stuart Clark Read Free Book Online Page B

differences. When he had asked Wyatt to head Project U.L.F., he had told him there would be risks and he had said that he could not specify exactly what those risks would be. That was true. Perhaps Wyatt wanted someone to be held responsible for the deaths during those first U.L.F. expeditions, and he saw Mannheim as that person. But the truth was that all of the people involved in Project U.L.F. had the risks explained to them and they had all gone into the team freely, fully understanding the dangers they would be exposing themselves to. Even so, it didn’t feel right to Wyatt that some of these people, his friends, should have died. In retrospect, it was ludicrous to imagine that the equipment they had then could cope with the creatures they were going to face. Someone should pay, even if it was only for that lack of foresight.
    The door closed behind him, sealing the cavity in the column that housed the staircase leading to the offices high above. Wyatt stepped off the rim of concrete he found himself on, and set off on the path that led across the swamp in front of him. As he neared its end he spotted the back of one of the two Puglions, spined and scaly, breaking the surface of the stagnant water and prepared himself. On passing it, the Puglion leapt out of the water to snap at him, moving its twelve-foot length with alarming speed, and Wyatt, already expecting this, was a little surprised at the swiftness and the ferocity of the attack. Suddenly, much to his relief, blue sparks flew and the creature was repelled, falling back into the swamp with a splash. At least the safety shield still worked. He found it difficult to put his faith in something he could not see. When he reached the end of the path he ran a swipe card through a unit mounted on the wall opposite him. He turned and watched as the path slowly descended into the water until it was out of sight. Now the swamp dominated the huge dome-shaped room save for the visitors’ walkway that ran its circumference and upon which Wyatt now stood. He turned and headed for the exit, the clomping of his boots on the floor breaking the silence. The first of the day’s visitors would be arriving soon and there were still plenty of things to be done.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    The rest of Wyatt’s day was uneventful. He spent most of it in his office sifting through dozens of administrative chips and filling out forms. He hated the bureaucracy; it stopped him from doing what he considered to be his real job, that of planning and budgeting for his department, training the new U.L.F. recruits, and organizing the away teams.
    As much as he liked the challenges and responsibilities that his position imparted, Wyatt missed the excitement of trapping and the camaraderie of working in an away team. Numerous times throughout the day he had caught himself daydreaming, staring into space, thinking about Mannheim’s offer. He would not decide today. It was a big decision to make.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    It was Wednesday of the following week when Wyatt finally called to accept the offer. Mannheim’s face appeared on the telelink. On seeing Wyatt he brandished his smile again. “Ah Wyatt, I was just thinking about you. You’ll be pleased to know that nearly all the arrangements for the expedition we discussed have been finalized. All we need now is to hear your decision—I assume that’s the reason you’re calling.”
    “Yeah, it was. I’d like to be the team leader if the offer still stands.”
    “Excellent. Excellent. Of course the offer still stands. As I said, nearly everything has been arranged. The expedition is scheduled to leave late next week, so you have time to make whatever arrangements you feel are necessary. Oh, and Wyatt, don’t bother coming in to work next week, we’ll take care of everything at this end. All you need do is take the last shuttle up to the moon-base on Wednesday evening and Robert will meet you and brief you